Fix It

Most automobile makers do not manufacture the car parts used in the production of the vehicles they build. Hired manufacturing companies are used for this purpose.

The OEM company builds the parts and puts them in boxes with the car manufacturers name on them. Customers may theore believe they are buying a part directly built by the car manufacturer.

After a specified period of time, varying by manufacturer, the car parts manufactured by OEMs no longer are placed in boxes with the car manufacturers name. At this time, the parts are placed in boxes with only the OEM companys name on it. The parts are identical, but cost less because the brand name is no longer on the package.

A slipping transmission is a transmission that is slow to respond when put into gear or when shifting gears. When the transmission slips, the engine often revs quickly as if the car had been put into neutral, but the car does not accelerate.

The most common cause of a slipping transmission is low transmission fluid due to a leak. As the fluid level falls, there is not enough transmission fluid to properly operate the transmission. Transmission fluid breakdown and wear of the transmission gears may also cause the transmission to slip.

When a transmission slip is noticed, a car owner should check the transmission fluid level and add fluid if the level is low. If the transmission fluid is not low and the car is due for a transmission fluid change, the car owner should change the fluid. If the transmission continues to slip, the car owner should consult with a trusted transmission repair shop.

According to the Dodge Charger owners manual, the lightning bolt symbol on a Dodge Charger is the indicator for the electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control regulates engine idle speed, traction control and cruise.

If the lightning bolt on the instrument panel lights up and stays lit when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. The vehicle will be drivable, but see an authorized dealer without delay.

If the electronic throttle control light is on solid, completely stop the vehicle and put it in park. The warning light should turn off by cycling the ignition key. If the light comes on again and flashes when the engine is running, the car should be immediately serviced. The engine could stall or have a very rough idle and may need to be towed.

The HO2S21 code, also referred to as P1130, is specific to Ford Motor Companys computer codes. It references the failure of heated oxygen sensors, numbered one and two, within the vehicles emissions system.

The P1130 trouble code occurs once the heated oxygen sensor, or sensors, fails to switch between reports of a rich or lean oxygen amount vented from the engines combustion chamber. This code points to either a problem with the sensors themselves or a malfunction within the emissions system.

The sensors electrical supply may be compromised by water damage to the sensors harness, or a failure of the entire sensor.